Jumper ?

Tommy stood at the Cliff's edge, marveling at the grand scene before him; the mid-morning sun casting what seems like shimmering stars upon the sea's surface, crystal clear waves rushing toward the cliffs, and feeling the onshore breeze blowing his thick hair back, and with his arms spread wide open, he felt so alive when suddenly he heard "Sir, please step slowly away from the cliff and walk towards me" Tommy turned in amazement to see three police cars, a fire engine truck and numerous people staring in his direction. He paused for a moment and looked around to see if they were really talking to him. "Sir, it's going to be alright. Whatever it is I'm sure we can talk about it. I say again, please step slowly away from the cliff and walk towards, me right now"

With a chuckle of irony, Tommy replied "Now wait a minute, hold on here fellas, I'm NOT a jumper. I'm just enjoying the view. I'm fine, really I'M FINE." The officer wasn't convinced and replied back with a hint of caution in his voice "Okay, okay but you're still dangerously close to the cliff. I'd like for you to walk towards me slowly then, okay? Can you do that for me?" Tommy didn't think twice so he obliged. The officer moved in quickly and within a moment he grabbed Tommy by the arm and led him to the patrol car. Tommy was quickly placed in handcuffs and was told it's "for your own safety". The officer asked why he was standing so dangerously close to the cliff. Tommy replied in a puzzled tone, "well, how did you know I was there in the first place?" "A resident spotted you and thought you could be a jumper. This isn't uncommon in this area" the officer replied. The officer continued "Sir, do you have any identification on you ?" "Um, yeah, it's in my back pocket" Tommy replied. "You don't have any weapons or drugs on you or anything that will poke me do you ?" The officer asked in a stern tone. "What ? No, of course not !" Tommy replied in an equally stern tone. By this time, the levity of all this started to wear off rapidly. The police officer retrieved Tommy's wallet and asked "Are you Tommy T. Gristn ?" Tommy nodded yes. "Okay sir, if you'll wait right here I need to run a routine DMV check on you. One of the firemen is going to come over and check out your vitals and ask you a few questions." Tommy started thinking to himself, how can all of this be happening to me when just a mere 15-minutes ago I was in a trance-like condition, taking in all of what this gorgeous morning had to offer ?

The fireman greeted Tommy with his identity and said he had to check some of his vitals. The fireman took his pulse, his temperature, and his blood pressure. Tommy mentioned that he was just recovering from a nasty flu that's been going around. "Yeah, nasty one, isn't it?" the fireman replied. "Are you currently on any medication?" he asked. "Yeah, but I’m not sure of the name of it. They're merely antibiotics and a cough medicine with codeine in it. That's about it" Tommy said. The fireman replied "Well, you're running a slight fever and your blood pressure is a bit high." Tommy nodded as if to acknowledge his findings. "Wait here a moment while I talk to the officer. Do you have any questions for me?" said the fireman "Um, no" Tommy said astonishingly. Tommy looked towards the officer and the fireman who were talking while looking back at his direction, and after a brief conversation, he saw the officer nod and walk back towards him. "Sir, after speaking with my superior officer, and based on the fireman's initial evaluation of your present condition, we're going to take you to a facility for further evaluation just to make sure you're okay. It's for your own safety. Do you have a spouse, or a relative or someone we should contact on your behalf ?" the officer asked "Wait a minute …. WHAT ? What the hell do you mean you’re 'taking me to a facility' ?" Tommy said with a sense of urgency "Are you saying that I'm going to a psychiatric ward for a 72-hour evaluation ?!"

"Sir, at this time we need to be certain that you're okay, and the only way to come to that conclusion is to allow professionals who specialize in this area to talk to you and obtain some information, that's all" the officer replied "What about my car ? Where exactly are you taking me ? Can you at least remove the cuffs?" Tommy asked in a bit of a panic. The officer replied "We'll probably have to tow your vehicle due to the parking restrictions in this neighborhood, but we'll let you know where it is. You can make your calls once you're at the facility and yes, the cuffs must remain on until you reach the facility" he said in a monotone manner.

Tommy was placed in the back seat of the patrol car like a common criminal. Once he was in and secured by the seat belt, he looked over at the other police officers standing next to his car, just as the tow truck arrived. As the officer started to get into the patrol car, Tommy noticed a group of folks trying to get a glimpse of the man being hauled off. They wanted to see who the devious man is that was in their quiet and crimeless neighborhood. Being so aggravated by now, Tommy could not refrain from sticking his tongue out at the looky-loo's !

Tommy arrived at a place called Little Company of Mary Hospital. To the left was a smaller wing building with a dull looking moniker; Mental Health Building. Tommy muttered, "Great, now I'm a psycho. What will the neighbors think" The patrol car pulled up to the smaller building, and as Tommy glanced towards the lobby, panic started to set in. Tommy pleaded with the officer "I don't belong here. I wasn't trying to kill myself. Really, you gotta believe me !" His plea fell upon deaf ears.

Once inside, Tommy was allowed to make a few calls, and was given a luke warm, lousy cup of coffee. Looking out the main lobby window, Tommy noticed a Starbucks across the street, and with a sudden burst of levity he asked "Say, what if I just pop over to Starbucks for a cup of Joe, and pick you fellas up something as well. My treat. Are we okay with that?" The officer and the ward clerk looked at him and gave no response.

Tommy was escorted into an exam room, where after a brief interview with one of the doctor's, he was again escorted off to another room where he had to wait for further instructions. Nearly 2-hours have passed and Tommy noticed by the time on the wall lock that it was lunch time. Though he hadn't developed an appetite, he felt he could go for an ice cold Dr. Pepper, the nectar of the gods !

Tommy was allowed to dine in the dinning hall, and it was then when he met a timid, elderly fellow named Martin. Martin was brought in for his apparent attempt in ending is 'personal story', however he had an air about him that for some reason left Tommy in doubts about his admittance in this institution. Martin seemed to stroll around with a degree of quiet confidence, as if he knew something nobody else did. Tommy felt intrigued by his presence.

To be continued ........

Safety Pins ...

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